[snid]

WMC - High Performance Driving School

I just signed up... who else is going to be there?

I'm also going to the ADSS on April 7th to get some slide-time in on the figure-8 skidpad.

[NHRef]

I'm planning to but work could get in the way.

Regarding the ADSS . . . The White Mtn. Chapter is sponsoring a MINIs Only ADSS in July . . . Details to follow . . .

[lexmcs]

just signed up for the ADSS...

As for the HPDS, if this is my first time at NHIS should i sign up for the No Prior Track Exp or just the regular one.

[snid]

Is it your first time at NHIS but you've been on other tracks? If so, I think they want you in the regular group. If it's your first time on a track ever, then sign up for the first time group.

Here's the blurb from the boston chapter's website:

Quote:

Novice Student Price Incentive
As an added encouragement to attend our already exciting and rewarding Driving Schools, the Boston Chapter will offer a $100 discounted price to Novice students signing up for a driving school for the first time. In order to participate in the discount program the student must have zero track experience and of course be 18 years old. The student will be placed in our novice run group for the entire day and will be assigned a mentor to help acclimate them with the activities throughout the day.

Awesome that I'll see you out there! Look for the slow brown car.

[snid]

Geeze... I've spent the last few minutes wandering around the various forums correcting my date for the ADSS. Why did I keep putting April 6?

[lexmcs]

done and done... see you there!!! both for ADSS and HPDS

[lexmcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid (original)

Geeze... I've spent the last few minutes wandering around the various forums correcting my date for the ADSS. Why did I keep putting April 6?

i was gonna leave that one alone

[snid]

For NHIS newbies, go here:
WMC - Learning
and download the "One Lap of NHIS" PDF by Ed Valpey. I've had Ed as an instructor at NHIS, he knows his way around that track.

[Eastereggmini]

I have never ever done anything on a track before....ever.

I am very confused as to how to take the novice course with the $100 discount and such. Who do I sign up with? Do I need 2 helmets? Do I need to change fluids and all that? Any information or links would be great. Boston area club does the novice stuff? Thanks guys and gals.

Joel

EasterEggMINI

[lexmcs]

WMC - Advanced Driving Safety Skills School <-- you need to do this before the Hiph Performance Driving School , unless you live more than 90 miles away

You need to change your brake fluid within 90 days of the event
WMC - HPD School Requirements

[snid]

As lexmcs said, you need to do the ADSS before you go to the track for an HPDE. Plus, the ADSS is fun! And, the common saying is "the track is a lousy place to learn car control". That's why they have the ADSS. So you can learn what it's like to be in a spinning car without risk of hitting other cars, tirewalls, trees, cement track walls, etc.

Quote: Originally Posted by Eastereggmini (original)

I am very confused as to how to take the novice course with the $100 discount and such. Who do I sign up with?

From the page I linked to in the first post, there's a "Register Now" link. Follow that to register. You have to create a user profile on motorsportsreg.com, but it will come in useful when you want to sign up for more and more events.

Quote:

Do I need 2 helmets?

Just one helmet for yourself. Needs to be 2000 or 2005 rated.

Quote:

Do I need to change fluids and all that?

You only need to change the brake fluid. You should probably check the other fluids while you're at it though - mainly oil and coolant. There's a tech inspection sheet you need to print out and fill out. If you have no idea what to look for under the hood / under the car, take the car and the tech sheet to a garage and have them do it.

[blalor]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid (original)

Just one helmet for yourself. Needs to be SA2000 or SA2005 rated. No motorcycle (M-rated) helmets, and no 1995 or earlier helmets.

M2000 helmets are ok. I asked that question at the Boston chapter's meeting last Saturday. I've been using my old bike brain-bucket for the last few years in the car with no issue. Just make sure the Snell cert label (with year) is still legible inside.

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

M2000 helmets are ok.

By golly, you're right! I edited my previous post. I know there some group I've run with that doesn't accept motorcycle helmets. If you're buying a new helmet, you might as well get an SA helmet instead of an M helmet, in my opinion. If you've already got a motorcycle helmet that's recent enough, then you're all set.

[LePew]

I've just registered for Cabin Fever on April 13th and hope to make the ADSS on April 7 also. I'll be in the even slower black car trying to keep up with the brown one. Looking forward to shaking off the winter!

I have an extra SA2000 helmet -- easteregg you are certainly welcome to borrow it.

[blalor]

I was going to buy a new helmet this year, but I can still get some life out of my old one. New ones are 'spensive! I just wanted an el-cheapo SA'05 open-face helmet, but HMS didn't carry any under $300. Not that they're the only place, of course, but I'd hoped to get away with spending about half that...

[LePew]

Although we have to love HMS, you can find cheaper prices:

Racers Wholesale
Racer Wholesale

Solo Racer
Auto Racing Helmets

both have cheap full face SA2005 helmets in the $160-$200 range. Open face are less than that (be careful though, not all organizations allow open face helmets and I consider my chin to be worth the extra $30).

Being a matter of personal comfort, and a critical safety item, I do like to try helmets on -- in person -- before buying. Good luck!

[Eastereggmini]

LePew. That would be amazing if you're planning on doing the event on the 7th of April. Let me know. I don't know how many track events i'll ever do (because this is my first time) so it would be great not to have to buy a helmet.

also, on the website for the 7th, i don't think the requirements for car or driver are nearly as much as the one on the 16th. am i reading it wrong?

joel

[Eastereggmini]

Snid, thanks for the answers. And thanks to all of you. I didn't know there was a difference in the two days. Yes, I would much rather learn in a parking lot that on the track...bad idea.

[snid]

Joel,

At the ADSS, you'll probably never get moving over 45mph, if even that. And there aren't that many solid objects to worry about running into.

At an HPDE / track event, speeds at NHIS get up to around 100mph (even in a MINI), and there's plenty of solid objects around. The saying is still that you're more likely to get into an accident driving to the track than driving on the track, but...

[jwardell]

Oh, damn, I thought they provided helmet and suit on track days. I think my helmet is Snell 95. I might be screwed. Suppose I can look on ebay for another snell helmet for $45 like I paid for that one.
I would prefer open face if I could because it gets so darn hot in there...but last I searched they were much more expensive because they're specifically made for cars only, whereas full face can be used with motorcycles and therefore have a much larger audience and therefore lower minimum price.